Retail Intelligence

Going against the seemingly never ending ‘retail apocalypse’, Stats NZ have shone some light on retail growth in Hastings with their latest trade statistics.

The latest quarterly retail trading figures for Hastings show an increase of 8.2 percent.

The Hawke’s Bay statistics indicated improved retail sales during the first quarter of 2017. And Hasting has enjoyed a record 8.2 percent increase over the same period in 2016.

This is part of the upward trend of Hastings leading retail growth through each quarter since October 2015.

This rise signals the growth of smaller regions being able to target consumers to spend more confidently.

As competition from larger, online stores increase, it is uplifting to see a rural towns retail statistic continue to grow.

Free parking in Hastings CBD, the Kmart upgrade and the redevelopment of the Albert Square and East side have all given the city a boost to compete for shoppers.

Susan McDade of the Hastings City Business Association said “Despite the struggles that most of the retail sector has endured in recent years, our Hastings CBD retailers seem to be pulling out all the stops to stay on top, and the figures show that it is paying off.

“Another rise in the next quarter will really indicate that the tides are turning, and our CBD can gain more confidence moving forward.”

The total volume of sales nationwide rose 1.5 percent, while nine out of 15 industries had higher sales volumes, according to Stats NZ.

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